Corrective and protective knee brace



Jan. 19, 1943. A. c. PECKHAM 2,308,776

CORRECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE KNEE BRACE Filed May 2, 1941 g I 50 ,fitZ/enior.

/ AzTr/u/a C. PECKHAM Patented Jan. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CORRECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE KNEE- BRACE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a corrective and protective knee brace and I declare the following to be a full, clear, concise and exact description thereof sufficient to enable anyone skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a device that will prevent lateral movement and rotation between the femur and tibia bones at the knee joint of a person suffering from a weak knee joint and thereby hold the joint rigidly from side bending in or out or rotating when a person Walks.

The device will be understood by referring to the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing the device applied to the knee joint.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view somewhat enlarged showing the device apart from its application to the knee joint.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view enlarged of a buckle employed.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the device comprises four leaf springs or resilient members 2, 3 and 4. Springs and 2 are disposed opposite each other about the femur bone 5 and springs 3 and 4 are disposed opposite each other about the tibia bone 6.

Each of said springs 2, 3 and 4 is made of a resilient sheet metal, whereby it will bend easily and is arched outwardly at its center portion H]. The length of each of said springs is ample to extend a suitable distance above and below the knee joint H and the width may be about two inches although this is a detail that can be adjusted for the particular joint that is fitted.

Furthermore, the springs are used in pairs, to this end springs I and 3 are united by a pivot |2, whereby they can rotate relative to each other to allow for the normal bending of the knee, whereas springs 2 and 4 are likewise united by a pivot M for the same purpose. The pivoted joints at l2 and I4 are disposed opposite the knee joint H to allow for the normal bending of the knee as above stated, when the person walks.

Sponge rubber pads l5, l5 are secured on the inside surface of the leaf springs I, 2, 3 and 4 adjacent the pivots l2 and M by being cemented thereto or by pivots I2 and M which hold said springs together or otherwise fastened.

Pads l5, I5 make contact with the flesh about the femur and tibia bones in the area around the knee joint and lend comfort to the wearer. Sponge rubber pads l6 are attached to the inside surfaces of the upper ends of springs and 2 and of the lower ends of springs 3 and 4 at the locations where said springs would otherwise make contact with the flesh of the leg. Said pads |6 may be cemented to the said springs or held by rivets IT.

The means for applying said springs 2, 3 and 4 to the knee joint embodies straps 20, 2|, 22 and 23. To this end metal clips 25 are welded to the outer surface of each of said springs 2, 3 and 4. Each of the clips 25 provides a channel 26 for threading the straps therethrough. Said straps are equipped with buckles 3|], whereby they may be drawn tight and held.

Strap 20 is disposed about the upper ends of springs I and 2; strap 2| about the middle portion thereof; strap 22 at the middle portions of springs 3 and 4; and strap 23 abuts the lower portions of springs 3 and 4.

In operation, the user applies one of the devices to each of his knee joints that need protection by strapping the same thereon, using strap 20 to hold the device above the knee joint about the femur bone 5 and strap 23 to hold the device below the knee joint about the lower part of the tibia bone 6.

Straps 2| and 22 are then drawn tight, whereby to draw in the arched parts of springs I, 2, 3 and 4 and thereby create a pressure inward at 25 on knee joint The pivots |2 and 4 will allow the usual normal bending of the knee when the person walks.

Any well known buckle may be employed in the above device for buckle 30 such as those shown in my Patent No. 2,160,709, issued May 30, 1939.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

In a corrective and protective knee brace, 21. pair of arched leaf springs pivoted to a second pair of arched leaf springs, sponge rubber pads attached to said springs and straps carried by said springs for mounting the brace to the leg of a wearer and certain other straps for compressing said leaf springs, whereby the brace will exert a pressure at, the knee joint of the wearer to prevent lateral and rotary movement thereof.

ARTHUR C. PECKHAM. 

